Lens generating apparatus



Aug. 23, 1966 D. VOLK 3,267,617

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I .Z7/7wa VOLK Aug. 23, 1966 D. VOLK LENS GENERATING APPARATUS l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 Original Filed Aug 22. 1962 INVENTbRl 0/ we VOLK D. VOLK Aug. 23, 1966 LENS GENERATING APPARATUS Griginal Filed Aug. 22, 1962 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR. Dav/a VOLK Aug. 23, 1966 D. VOLK LENS GENERATING APPARATUS Original Filed Aug. 22, 1962 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 United States Patent ice 3,267,617 LENS GENERATING APPARATUS David Volk, 336 Kersdale Road, Pepper Pike, Ohio Original application Aug. 22, 1962, Ser. No. 218,601, now Patent No. 3,218,765, dated Nov. 23, 1965. Divided and this application Aug. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 480,726 9 Claims. (Cl. 51-105) This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 218,601, filed August '22, 1962, now Patent No. 3,218,765 for Lens Generating Method.

This invention relates to an improved machine for generating on optical material or metal: aspheric surfaces of revolution which are cup-shaped with either an apical umbilical point or an apical cusp, aspheric surfaces of revolution which are cup-shaped with neither an apical umbilical point nor an apical cusp, and saddle-shaped surfaces of revolution with and without an apical cusp. The sphere, a special case of a surface of revolution with an apical umbilical point, and cup-shaped and saddleshaped toric surfaces, with their principal meridians circular, can also be generated by the new method.

The novel machine of this invention performs the method which comprises in general the mounting of a work blank for rotation about a work axis, providing means for rotating this blank about its axis, providing a tool having a generally planar and generally circular material-removing edge, together with means for rotating this tool about its own tool axis perpendicular to the plane of the tool circular edge and concentric therewith, providing means -for mounting this tool for movement about a generator axis at an angle to the work axis, these two axes determining a plane passing through a principal section of the surface of revolution generated, the tool being at a distance from the generator axis defined as a displacement radius of a length measured perpendicular to the generator axis to the center of the tool circular edge, and then moving said tool vabout the generator axis to at least penetrate the principal section while rotating the work blank and the tool about their respective axes.

The method of this invention is capable of producing by using the properties of a circular cup wheel in the generator and by circular or linear motions only:

(1) Cup-shaped surfaces of revolution with an apical umbilical point including prolate and oblate ellipsoid surfaces of revolution, and other surfaces resembling prolate and oblate ellipsoids, paraboloids, and hyperboloids of revolution, and which includes as a special case the sphere; and

(2) Cup-shaped surfaces of revolution with an apical cusp which resemble the surfaces in (1) above, and which includes as a special case the spindle torus; and

(3) Cup-shaped surfaces of revolution without an apical umbilical point or cusp, including elliptical toroids, in which one of the principal meridians is non-circular, having either a prolate or an oblate elliptical profile, and other cup-shaped surfaces resembling elliptical toroids; and

(4) Saddle-shaped surfaces of revolution with and without an apical cusp, including elliptical toroids in which one of the principal meridians is non-circular, having either an oblate or a prolate elliptical profile, and other saddle-shaped surfaces resembling saddle-shaped elliptical toroids, and which include as a special case the saddleshaped torus; and

(5) Surfaces of revolution with an apical umbilical point whose meridian profiles have a point of inflection; and

(6) Righrt circular cones; and

(7) Elliptical cylinders; and

(8) Templates to match the surfaces producible by this invention; and

3,267,617 Patented August 23, 1966 (9) Cams for generators which employ cam followers for the purpose of generating aspheric surfaces of revolution; and

(10) Tools and laps for use in generating or grinding surfaces by techniques other than the direct use of my improved generator.

In the drawings;

'FIGS. 1A to 1G show diametrically located sectional views through various tools useful in this invention, each tool being circular in plan view;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the relative position of the tool and the work when practicing this invention;

FIGS. 3A to 36 show diametrically located sectional views through various work blanks and blank holders, each blank being circular in plan view;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the principal section of a work blank ground to a spherical profile according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a View of the principal section of a work blank ground to the profile of an oblate ellipsoid;

FIG. 6 is a view of the principal section of a work blank ground to the profile of a prolate ellipsoid;

FIG. 7 is a view of a trace in the principal section of an eg -shaped modified ellipsoid when the azimuth is FIG. 8 is a view of a trace in the principal section of -a modified ellipsoid having the appearance of a semi-prolate ellipse joined smoothly at a common minor axis to a trace having the appearance of a parabola;

FIG. 9 shows a trace in the principal section of a modified ellipsoid which has the appearance of a semi-prolate ellipse joined smoothly at a common minor axis to a portion of a trace having the appearance of a hyperbola;

FIG. 10 shows a trace in the principal section of a modified ellipsoid where the displacement radius is between r and r cos p and having the appearance of an ellipse joined to a hyperbola;

FIG. 11 shows a spherical trace in the principal section generated when the displacement radius is r cos 5;

FIG. 12 shows a trace in the principal section generated when 1- cos d r cos and having the appearance of a semiprolate ellipse with its major axis continuous with the minor axis of a semi-oblate ellipse;

FIG. 13 illustrates the approximate matching of a trace in the principal section of a modified prolate ellipsoid generated by this invention on a hyperbola at one end, and on an ellipse at the other end;

FIG. 14 shows a trace in the principal section generated with r cos 0 and having the appearance of a semi-prolate ellipse joined smoothly to a curved section having a point of inflection;

FIG. 15 shows a trace in the principal section generated when 0 90 and oo d2r cos and having the appearance of two semi-oblate ellipses having a common major axis of length 21' and having semi-minor axes of different lengths;

FIG. 16 shows a trace in the principal section generated when r sec d 0, and having the appearance of a semioblate ellipse joined smoothly to a curved section having a point of inflection;

FIG. 17 shows a trace in the principal or meridian section of a modified hemi-prolate ellipsoid with the generated surface facing upward;

FIG. 18 shows a trace in the principal or meridian section of a modified prolate ellipsoid with the generated surface facing downward;

FIG. 19 shows a trace in the principal or meridian section of a modified hemi-prolate ellipsoid with the generated surface facing downward;

FIG. 20 shows a trace in the principal section of an oblate ellipsoid generated according to this invention;

3 in the principal section of a generated according to this FIG. 21 shows a trace non-symmetrical ellipsoid invention;

FIG. 22 shows a trace in the principal section generated according to this invention Where the azimuth is set between and 90 and the skewness is set to give an umbilical point revolute generated by the leading edge of the tool;

FIG. 23 is like FlG. 22 except that the principal sec tion is generated by the trailing edge of the tool;

FIG. 24 is an example of a nonsyrnmetrical non-elli tical trace generated in the principal section according to this invention;

FIGS. 25 and 26 show traces of cup-shaped revolutes generated in the principal section according to this invention and illustrating that the vertical extent of the generated zone is a function of the skewness and of the distance of the center of the generating circle from the principal section;

H68. 27 and 28 show traces in the principal sections where the skewness is greater than 1' cos p and the following edge of the tool generates a saddle-shaped revolute without an apical cusp;

FIG. 29 shows a trace in the principal section generated by the following convex edge of a tool when 0 s r cos (p and shows a saddle-shaped surface with an apical cusp;

FIGS. 30 and 31 show traces in the principal section of spindle-shaped revolutes generated by the following inner concave edge of a tool when 0 s r cos 5;

FIGS. 32 and 33 show traces in the principal sections generated by the concave edge of the generating tool when (1:60, p lies between 0 and 90, a=0 and s lies between 0 and r;

FIG. 34 shows a trace in the principal section generated by the convex edge of the generating tool under the conditions corresponding to FIGS. 32 and 33;

N68. 35 to 39 show traces in principal section of revolutes generated according to this invention when d: w and =4-5;

FIG. 40 shows possible variations of the elliptical trace in the principal section made by simultaneously varying azimuth on and skewness s while maintaining constant the point P(a, b) Where the trace intercepts the work axis;

FIGS. 41 and 44 show non-symmetrical traces in principal sections generated according to this invention where d is a finite value, is between 0 and 90, and (x is between 0 and 90;

FIGS. 45, 46 and 47 show traces in the principal sections of negatively curved revolutes generated according to this invention;

FIGS. 48, 49 and 50 show the traces in the principal sections of revolutes generated according to this invention with the work axis inclined at other than 90 to the generator axis;

FIG. 51 shows a trace in the principal section of a revolute generated according to this invention with the work axis parallel to the generator axis, the revolute then being used as a tool revolving about that same axis (shown horizontal) to form a piece of optical material rotating about its axis (shown vertical};

FIGS. 52, 53 and 54 are respectively a side elevation, top plan, and an end view on line 5454 of a mechanism adapted for the practice of this invention;

FIG. 55 is a fragmental sectional view taken along the line S5-55 of FIG. 52; while FIGS. 56 and 57 are respectively a top plan view, end view and side elevational View of another mechanism adapted for the practice of this invention, FIGS. 57 and 58 being taken along respectively numbered lines in FIG. 56.

The term generated, as used in this invention, means formed by means of the cutting or grinding edge of a circular cup wheel which maintains contact with optical material or metal, or work piece, as it revolves about its axis of revolution, in at least a point during the generating process.

Since all surfaces generated by the machine of this invention are surfaces of revolution and since the cup wheel used in the generating process is itself a surface of revolution, the surfaces generated will be herein called revolute surfaces or revolutes and the generator will be called the revolute generator.

Revolutes can be generated on glass, plastic, or other optical material, for subsequent fining and polishing, and then used directly as lens or mirror surfaces or for molding or casting such surfaces of plastic material. Revolutes can be used as one or both surfaces of non-ophthalmic and ophthalmic lenses, including contact lenses. Metal revolutes can be used for the purpose of molding or casting lenses of plastic material and can also be used as tools and laps for the purpose of generating or grinding revolutes, and can also serve as cams in point grinding machines which generate revolutes by a cam-following technique.

In order to simplify the description of this invention the circular cup Wheel, or tool, can have its grinding edge practically reduced to a circular line. The tool may take various shapes as shown in FIGS. 1A to 16. It will suffice henceforth to speak of this circular line as the generating circle. Further along in the description of this invention, the effects of utilizing a toric edge onthe cup wheel will be taken into account.

The principle upon which this invention is based is that the trace of a circle moving through a plane can assume a variety of shapes which depend upon the orientation, or the change in orientation and position, of the circle with respect to the plane, as it passes through the plane. As an example, referring to FIG. 2, consider a line segment, hereafter called the displacement radius d, extending from the center In of the said circle c perpendicular to another line which serves as an axis, hereafter called the generator axis n, about which the circle can berotated. The plane of the circle can be inclined in any manner with respect to the displacement radius, and the displacement radius, measured from the center of the circle to generator axis, can have any value (in this example, from r to infinity where r is the radius of the circle c). The said circle hereafter called the generating circle, as it rotates about the generator axis while maintaining a fixed position with respect to the displacement radius, delineates a geometrical solid in space. The outline of a section of the geometrical solid, produced by a plane containing the generator axis, hereafter called the principal section, is the trace of the generating circle passing through the principal section.

if the displacement radius is infinite, the generating circle moves linearly and in a direction normal to the principal section, and delineates an elliptical cylinder whose trace in the principal section is always an ellipse whose major axis can be oriented in any direction in the principal section, the direction depending upon the in-,

clination of the plane of the generating circle with respect to the displacement radius, the limits of the ellipse being the circle and the line. If the displacement radius is finite, the trace in the principal section is never an ellipse (with one exception when it is a circle).

The trace of the generating circle in the principal section assume two types of shapes:

(1) Symmetrical shapes, with symmetry about the extension of the trace of the displacement radius in the principal section, which result when the displacement radius is continuous with a diameter of the generating circle, or when a diameter of the generating circle is parallel to the generator axis, the displacement radius not being continuous with a diameter of the generating circle, and

(2) Non-symmetrical shapes, which result from all other orientations of the generating circle with respect to the displacement radius.

Let us first consider the ellipses which are obtained when the displacement radius is infinite. Since an infinite displacement radius is always parallel to the principal section, one need only consider the angle between the plane of the generating circle and the principal section to determine the shape of the elliptical trace in the principal section. The major axis of the ellipse is the line of intersection of the plane of the generating circle and the principal section through the center of the generating circle. The direction of the major axis is designated in degrees from 0 :to 180, although for the purpose of this invention, 0 to 90 is all that is necessary. The 0 direction is perpendicular to the direction of the trace of the displacement radius in the principal section and the positive direction of the angle is counterclockwise.

The shape of an ellipse is defined by the eccentricity of the ellipse, Where eccentricity, e, of the ellipse is given by the ratio of the interfocal distance of the major axis, or the ratio of one-half the interfocal distance to the semimajor axis. Consider the plane of a circle inclined at an angle with respect to a principal section. The trace of the circle as it traverses in a normal direction the principal section is an ellipse whose eccentricity is given by the equation:

e=sin (1) where e varies from 0 to 1 as the inclination, (p, varies from 0 to 90. Along the ellipse the curvature changes continuously from the maximum at the ends of the major or transverse axis, the prolate point, to the minimum at the ends of the minor or conjugate axis, the oblate point. At any point P(a, b), where a is the coordinate in the direction of the semi-major axis, of length A, and b is the coordinate in the direction of the semi-minor axis, of length B, the origin being the geometrical center of the ellipse, the radius of curvature is given by the equivalent expressions:

3 (A4122 Beef (a, b)

where B=A cos By setting b=0, the radius of curvature r at the ends of the major axis, the prolate point, is obtained, and by setting a=0, the radius of curvature, r at the ends of the minor axis, the oblate point, is obtained.

If the ellipse is rotated about the major axis, a prolate ellipsoid is swept out in space and if the ellipse is rotated about the minor axis, an oblate ellipsoid is swept out in space. The major axis, passing through the apices of the prolate ellipsoid, the prolate umbilical points, serves as the optic axis of the prolate ellipsoid. Either end of the prolate ellipsoid, surrounding an umbilical point of maximum curvature, can serve as an optical surface which is symmetric with respect to the optic axis.

The minor axis, passing through the apices of the oblate ellipsoid, the oblate umbilical points, serves as the optic axis of the oblate ellipsoid. Either end of the oblate ellipsoid surrounding the umbilical point of minimum curvature can serve as an optical surface which is symmetric with respect to the optic axis.

If the ellipse is rotated about any normal to its curve other than the major or minor axis, two dissimilar geometrical solids having a common umbilical point at one apex and a common cusp at the other will be swept out in space. If the ellipse is rotated about any axis passing through it which is not normal to its curve, two double cusped coaxial geometrical solids will be swept out in space.

Generation of revolute surfaces can be accomplished by impressing upon the optical material or metal, hereafter called work, as it revolves about its axis of revolution, the profile of some portion of the trace of the generating circle in the principal section. The generating circle, as has been stated, is obtained from the lip of a circular cup wheel. The cup wheel, hereafter called the tool, is attached to a power supply which is capable of revolving the tool rapidly about the tool axis 0, the tool axis being perpendicular to the plane of the generating circle and passing through the center of the generating circle. The tools differ from the usual cup wheels, well known in the art of generating lenses, in that they usually make use of overhanging lips, to which abrasive material such as diamond dust is bonded. (See FIGS. 1A to 1G.)

In order to follow the description of the generation of revolute surfaces, certain lines, planes, angles, and motions, and their relative orientations, dimensions, and directions will be defined, although the actual orientation in space of the total generator is arbitrary.

A line lying in a vertical plane, serving as the axis of revolution about which the work revolves, is called the work axis p (FIG. 2). A horizontal line intersecting or parallel to the work axis is called the generator axis n, and the vertical plane defined by the work axis and the generator axis is termed the principal section. In the description now to be given, the work axis shall be limited to the vertical direction although the invention includes all inclinations of the work axis with respect to the generator axis, including the special condition of parallelism, a limitation being that the work axis and the generator axis shall not coincide. A line segment perpendicular to the generator axis, extending to the center of the generating circle, is called the displacement radius and its length is symbolized by d. The radius of the the generating circle is symbolized by r. The displacement radius and the generator axis define a plane called the displacement plane. The angle between the principal section and the displacement plane, FIG. 2, which is varied smoothly during the generation of a single surface, is called the displacement angle, and it is symbolized by 'y. The distance between the work axis and the displacement radius measured along the generator axis is called the skewness and is symbolized by s. The angle between the displacement plane and the plane containing the generating circle is called the inclination, the symbol for the inclination being 5. The azimuth of the line of intersection of the displacement plane and the plane of the generating circle is given by the symbol a and it is measured in the displacement plane in a counterclockwise direction from the generator axis.

By proper combination of the above predetermined and adjustable variables, a variety of revolute surfaces with an apical umbilical point can be generated, including spheres, prolate and oblate ellipsoids, surfaces resembling prolate and oblate ellipsoids, paraboloids, and hyperboloids, and surfaces whose meridian section profiles have a point of inflection. By other combinations of the above predetermined and adjustable variables, surfaces with an apical cusp having profiles resembling sections of the aforementioned surfaces, can be generated. By still another combination of the above predetermined and adjustable variables cup-shaped surfaces of revolution without an apical umbilical point or cusp can be generated, and by still other combinations saddle-shaped surfaces of revolution, with and without apical cusps can be generated.

The term generated as used in this invention means formed by means of the cutting or grinding edge of a circular cup wheel which maintains contact with the work piece as it revolves about its axis of revolution, in at least a point during the generating process, the generated surface or surface portion being generally complementary to that portion of the cutting or grinding edge of the circular cup wheel producing the surface or surface portion while the magnitude of the curvature of the generated surface and that ofthe cutting or grinding edge of the cup wheel are unequal except in special cases, the sphere and a principal meridian of a toric surface.

In the process of generating revolute surfaces, the work which consists of a lens or mirror blank B of glass, plastic or other optical material, or metal, is mounted by means of pitch or other adhesive, or by mechanical means, to a lens blank holder H. Various forms of blanks and holders are shown in FIGS. 3A to 3G. The lens or mirror blank holder is then attached by taper or by screw thread to a revolving axle A, in such a way that there is a common axis of revolution, hereafter called the work axis 1, for the axle, lens blank holder, and work. If the revolute surface is to be generated on metal, the lens blank or other optical material is replaced by the desired piece of metal of appropriate size, or the lens blank holder and work may be constructed of a solid piece of metal as in FIG. 3G. The work piece must overlay the Work axis if the enerated surface is to include an actual apical umbilical point or apical cusp.

The tool containing the generating circle revolves rapidly about the tool axis so that the circular generating line provides abrasive action along the line, point, or points of contact with the revolving work, the said contact being either in a line, point, or points depending upon the surface .to he generated and the stage of generation. As the work revolves about the work axis, the tool, revolving about the tool axis, moves in an arcuate motion about the generator axis which lies below the level of the center of the generating circle, or in a linear motion if the displacement radius is infinite so that the generating circle of the tool traversing partially or completely the principal section removes material from the work during its motion. The trace of the generating circle in the principal section provides the profile of the revolute surface.

The advantage of this type of generation over other types of point grinding generators is that the orientation and motion of the generating circle can be used directly in the formation of the revolute surface without the necessity of using cams to control the curvature of the surface as in other types of point grinding generators which require cams and cam followers. The fact that in this improved revolute generator the curvatures of the generating circle and the work are generally complementary at their point or points of contact tends to improve the quality of the generated surface, since mechanical vibration will tend only to extend the point or points of contact into a short line segment or segments of contact which immediately resists further effects of mechanical vibration, in contrast to other known point contact grinding generators in which the curvature of the tool and the work are of opposite sign, and not complementary, for the generating of convex surfaces, which therefore tend to gouge the work during mechanical vibration. Another advantage of the revolute generator is that all motions of the parts of the generator are either circular, or linear. The distinguishing feature of this revolute generator from known line contact generators which generate surfaces of revolution is the separation of the work axis from the generator axis in the revolute generator whereas in line contact generators, the work axis and the generator axis coincide. In the cam following type of generator for the purpose of generating aspheric surfaces of revolution, there is no generator axis, hence the necessity for a cam to control the motion of the tool.

In order to understand the principles of this revolute generator, examples of the generation of revolute surfaces will be given. The work piece is to be of such a diameter, thickness, and curvature that the meridian profile of the actual surfaces generated will comprise only a portion of the total revolute profile depicted by the trace of the generating circle in the principal section. One example of such work piece is a fiat circular ophthalmic lens blank of 60 mm. diameter and 10 mm. thickness (FIG. 3A). Another example of such a work piece is a cylinder of ophthalmic material or metal of 5 cm. inner radius and 5.5 cm. outer radius and of 7 cm. length, symmetrical with respect to the work axis (FIG. 3F).

Still another example would be a zone of a sphere of ophthalmic material or metal, either solid, or hollow, in the form of a bowl with the radius of its outer and inner surfaces 7 cms. and 6 ems. respectively (FIG. 3D). Another example would be a right circular cone of ophthalmic material or metal of 5 cm. radius at its base and altitude of 5 cm. (FIG. 3C).

The simplest case of a revolute surface with an apical umbilical point is the sphere (the sphere being a special case since it is umbilical over the entire surface). The variables are adjusted as follows:

rzthe radius of the generating circle=the radius of the spherical surface a is not applicable since the generating circle lies in the displacement plane.

With the work axis vertical and the surface to be generated facing upwards, and with the uppermost part of the generating circle of the tool at approximately the same distance from the generator axis as is the top of the work, the displacement angle is gradually reduced by a powered feeding mechanism, which in this case moves the generating circle in a direction normal to the principal section. While the work and the tool are rapidly revolving about their respective axes. the plane of the generating circle moves into the principal section, and the work takes on the profile of the trace of the generating circle in the principal section (FiG. 4). This is an exceptional case in which the generating circle at the completion of the generation makes an instantaneous line of contact over the entire work.

The same spherical surface can be generated with any other value of d ranging from Zero to infinity. When the displacement angle reduces to Zero, the plane of the generating circle contains the work axis, and the generating circle makes an instantaneous line of contact With the work. If a is some negative value ranging from zero to r, a sphere can be generated whose radius of curvature will be a, but point contact only will be made along the profile of the generated surface of the sphere, although the signs of the curvature of the generating circle and the surface of the sphere will be generally complementary.

Now consider the generation of the oblate ellipsoid (FIG. 5). The variables are adjusted as follows:

=arc sin e, where e is the desired eccentricity of the ellipsoid r' r (1e) /2 where romate is the desired radius of curvature at the oblate umbilical point With the work axis vertical and the surface to be gen erated facing upwards, and with the uppermost part of the inclined cup wheel set at about the level of the top of the work, the displacement angle is gradually reduced by a powered feeding mechanism, which in this case moves the generating circle in a direction normal to the principal section. While the work and tool are rapidly revolving about their respective axes, the displacement angle is gradually reduced until the contacting edge of the inclined cup wheel encounters the work in a point towards the top of the work and with further decrease in the displacement angle the point lengthens into two lines of contact symmetrically pl-aced with respect to the work axis, With continued decrease in the displacement angle the lines of contact reduce to two points of contact symmetrically placed at the outer limit of the work piece. These two points and the work axis lie in the principal section. Reversing the direction of the change in the displacement angle allows the tool to make contact with the work in two moving 9 points which always lie in the principal section, which are symmetric with respect to the work axis, and which gradually move towards the apex of the generated work piece to meet in a single point, the oblate umbilical point, at the apex of the work. The tool is then withdrawn from the Work piece by continuing its motion in the same direction. The surface generated is an exact oblate ellipsoid, the eccentricity of the ellipsoid and the radius of curvature at the apex being functions of 3, and and r respectively.

For the generation of the prolate ellipsoid (FIG. 6), the variables are adjusted as follows:

s== d=oo =arc sin e, where e is the desired eccentricity of the ellipsoid With the work axis vertical and the surface to be generated facing upwards, and with the uppermost part of the inclined cup wheel set at about the level of the top of the work, the displacement angle is gradually reduced by a powered feeding mechanism, which in this case moves the generating circle in a direction normal to the principal section. While the work and the tool are rapidly revolving about their respective axes, the displacement angle is gradually reduced until the contacting edge of the inclined cup wheel encounters the periphery of the work in a point which gradually lengthens into a line as the displacement angle continues to decrease. With further reduction of the displacement angle the length of the line of contact reduces to a point, the umbilical point, at the apex of the work, the displacement angle being zero at this time. Reversing the direction of change of the displacement angle allows the tool to make contact with the work in only a single moving point which always lies in the principal section, until finally the tool is withdrawn from contact with the work. The surface generated is an exact prolate ellipsoid, the eccentricity of the ellipsoid and the radius of curvature at the apex being functions of 5, and 5 and 1' respectively.

In the last two of the three examples just given, the generation of the prolate and the oblate ellipsoids, d=oo, and the tool moves linearly in a direction norm-a1 to the principal section. If d is finite, and with s=0, then a changing displacement angle results in each point on the generating circle moving in a circular arc about the generator axis. As a consequence, the plane of the generating circle is continually changing its inclination with respect to the principal section, and the generating circle itself has both horizontal (towards the principal section) and vertical components of motion. The result is that the trace of the generating circle in the principal section produces a closed curve, symmetrical about the work axis, which cannot be an ellipse, but assumes a variety of shapes depending upon the values of d, r, and a.

In particular, if s=0, 1x=0 or 90, and r sec d co when a=0, and 1' cos d oo when a=90, the traces will be symmetric about the work axis, having oval or spherical shapes, and within the above limits for d, the sense of the curvature will be the same at all points on the trace, that is, there will be no points of inflection. The revolutes corresponding to these traces will be called modified ellipsoids.

Modified ellipsoids, as defined in this invention, are those symmetrical revolutes with apical umbilical points, with curvatures all of one sense, whose meridian profiles are represented by oval traces of the generating circle in the principal section.

Consider those modified ellipsoids form when a=90, that is, those symmetrical revolutes having an apical umbilical point, produced when the displacement radius is continuous with the diameter of the generating circle of radius r. With a given value for and d r, the traces of the generating circle in the principal section is an eggshaped oval modified elliptical trace (FIG. 7) which has a major axis coinciding with the trade of the displacement radius in the principal section, analogous to the major axis of an ellipse, and a minor axis normal to but not bisecting the major axis, analogous to the minor axis of an ellipse. There is thus symmetry about the major axis, but not about the minor axis of this modified ellipse. In eifect, this egg-shaped or prolate oval modified ellipse has the appearance of two semi-prolate ellipses of continuous but unequal semi-major axes, joined at a common minor axis. Each half of this modified ellipse, as divided at the common minor axis resembles a semiellipse, and, there are osculating ellipsoids which will appear to match over a large area each of the apices of the revolute surfaces having the meridian section of the prolate oval modified ellipsoid.

As d is gradually reduced from infinity, the asymmetry of the modified ellipsoid with respect to its minor axis becomes exaggerated so that as d approaches 1', the trace of the generating circle in the principal section develops at one stage, the appearance of a semi-prolate ellipse joined smoothly at the common minor axis to a parabola (FIG. 8), and then with further decrease in d to a hyperbola (FIG. 9). Osculating ellipsoids, paraboloids and hyperboloids will appear to match over a large area each of the apices of the surfaces having the meridian sections of this prolate modified ellipsoid.

As d is reduced from r to r cos 15, the modified elliptical trace (produced by a rotation of the generating circle about the generator axis) takes the form first of an ellipse joined to a hyperbola (FIG. 10), then as d is reduced, to a parabola, then takes the form of two prolate ellipses joined at a common minor axis, and at d=r cos 4), the trace is a circle of radius r cos 4) (FIG. 11). Thus when d=r cos p, a series of spherical surfaces can be generated from one size cutting wheel.

For r cos d r cos the trace of the generating circle in the principal section has the appearance of a semi-prolate ellipse (FIG. 12) with its major axis continuous with the minor axis of a semi-oblate ellipse, there being a common major-minor axis joining the two ellipses.

Osculating ellipsoids, sphere and hyperboloids will appear to match over a large area each of the apices of the surfaces having the meridian sections of these prolate oval modified ellipsoids. FIG. 13 shows the approximate matching of one portion of a trace of a modified prolate ellipsoid, generated by this invention, on a hyperbola, and the matching of another portion thereof on an ellipse.

For r cos d 0, the trace of the generating circle in the principal section has the appearance of a semiprolate ellipse joined smoothly to a curved section of the trace having a point of inflection (FIG. 14). Depending upon whether the surfaces to be generated faces up or down, revolutes with profiles of either of the portions of the trace of the generating circle can be generated. At d=0, the two portions of the trace of the generating circle, just described, merge into a circular arc. The revolute generated when d=0 is a sphere of radius r.

Consider now those modified ellipsoids formed when 04:0", that is, when a diameter of the generating circle, of radius r, is parallel to the generator axis, the displacement radius intersecting but not being continuous with a diameter of the generating circle. With 0 90, oo d r sec the trace of the generating circle in the principal section will have the appearance of two semioblate ellipses having a common major axis, of length 2r, with each semi-oblate ellipse having a semi minor axis of different length (FIG. 15). The trace of this oblate oval modified ellipse will, therefore, be symmetric about its minor axis, but not about its major axis. Each haLf of the modified ellipse, as divided at the common major axis appears like a semi-ellipse, that is, there are osculating ellipsoids of revolution which appear to match the revolute surfaces having the meridian section of part of the oblate oval modified ellipse, over a large area about the axis of revolution.

For r sec d 0, the trace of the generating circle in the principal section has the appearance of a semioblate ellipse joined smoothly to a curved section of a trace having a point of inflection (FIG. 6). Depending upon whether the surface to be generated faces up or down, revolutes with profiles of either of the portions of the traces can be generated. At (i=0, the two portions of the trace of the generating circle, just described, merge into an arc of a circle. The revolute generated when (1:0 is a sphere of radius r.

The profile of modified ellipsoids can be mathematically described in several ways. For example, the coordinates for points along the profile can be listed in tabular form, or the data may be presented graphically, or the profile can be expressed as an algebraic or transcendental function.

Although the concept of eccentricity applies only to conics and conicoids of revolution, it can be usefully employed to describe approximately the shape of modifled ellipsoids, which closely resemble conicoids, at and about their apices.

Tht eccentricity of a conic section can be expressed as a differential equation, e=df/dx, Where f is the focal radius of the conic section, and x is the coordinate along the major axis of the conic with the apex of the conic as the origin. In conic sections, eccentricity is a constant, whereas in modified ellipsoids, expressed in terms of eccentricity, eccentricity is not a constant but varies continuously as a function of x.

In order to give a more exact description of the extended meridian profile of modified ellipsoids, eccentricity may be expressed in the form of a Taylor series. Using MacLaurins formula, the eccentricity of a modified ellipsoid can be written as:

where e given by (3) is defined as the generalized or effective eccentricity.

It is sufficient, however, for the purpose of description of this invention, to define the modified ellipsoid in terms of the focus and eccentricity of the osculating conicoid of revolution.

Consider a modified prolate hemi-ellipsoid. The eccentricity and focus of the osculating conicoid can be determined by selecting a pair of points, P 02 b P 01 2 near the prolate point of the modified ellipsoid and applying their coordinates to the following equation:

where a and a; are the coordinates in the direction of the major axis, and b and b are the corresponding coordinates in the direction of the minor axis, the origin being the prolate point.

The focus of the osculating conicoid is given by the following equation:

a -am n '2a (e+L (5) Several examples of modified prolate ellipsoids and their osculating conicoids of revolution will now be given.

Table 1 presents data on a meridian section of a modified hemi-prolate ellipsoid with the generated surface facing upward (FIG. 17) produced with the following adjustments of the variables:

r 10 cm. (1:15 cm. =45

By Equations 4 and 5, the eccentricity and focus of the osculating ellipsoid are 0.4065 and 4.4436 cm. respectively. A comparison of coordinates, in Table 1, for points along a meridian section of the hemi-modifiecl prolate ellipsoid and the escalating ellipsoid reveals very small differences in the b coordinates of each for the same a value, for a lens surface of more than 60 mm. in diameter.

Table 2 b (cm) 21 (cm) modified b (cm) Ab (cm) ellipsoid parabola Table 2 presents data on a meridian section of a modified prolate ellipsoid with the generated surface facing downward (FIG. 18) produced with the following adjustment of the variables:

By Equations 4 and 5, the eccentricity and focus of the oscillating conicoid are 1.0000 and 1.7081 cm. respectively. Comparison of coordinates in Table 2, for points along a meridian section of the modified prolate ellipsoid and the osculating parabola reveals very small differences in the b coordinates for each, for the same a value, for a lens of more than. 60 mm. in diameter.

Table 3 presents data on a meridian section of a modified hemi-prolate ellipsoid with the generated surface facing downward (FIG. 19), with the following adjustments of the variables:

By Equations 4 and 5, the eccentricity and focus of the osculating conicoid are 1.1369 and 1.1705 cm. respectively. A comparison of coordinates in Table 3, for points along a meridian section of the modified hemi-prolate ellipsoid and the osculating hyperboloid reveals very small differences in the b coordinates of each, for the same a value, for a lens surface of more than 60 mm. diameter.

Table 4 (cm.) a (0m.) b (circle) modified Ab (cm.)

ellipsoid Table 4 presents data on a meridian section of a revolute produced with the following adjustment of the variables, the work surface facing upward (FIG. 4):

r=l0 cm.

By Equations 4 and 5, the eccentricity and focus of the revolute produced are 0.0000 and 7.0711. A comparison of coordinates for points along a meridian section of a sphere reveals no different in the b coordinates for the same a values.

These last four examples of revolutes generated by the method of this invention demonstrates that by means of this invention it is possible to produce many modified prolate hemi-ellipsoids very closely approximating conicoids (e.g. ellipsoids, paraboloids, hyperboloids) over a relatively large area about the apex, and including spheres, with a single generating circle. These surfaces so closely approximate conicoids that they may be designated in terms of focus and eccentricity of the osculating conicoid, or in terms of the equivalent apical radius of curvature and of eccentricity, as is done with conicoids. It is possible, however, with a single generating circle of radius r, by simultaneously varying and d, while 04:90 and s=0, and by generating the optical surface facing either upwards or downwards, to produce revolutes with the same apical radius of curvature and eccentricity, in which departures from a constant eccentricity are significant. Such departures may be desirable in lens or mirror surfaces and this invention includes within its domain, the controlled and systematic departures from true conicoids. As an illustration, consider the modified ellipsoid illustrated in FIG. 13 and Tables 1 and 3. When the generated surface faces upwards, the derivatives of e, Equation 3, are positive contribution to the eccentricity, and the osculating conicoid of revolution will lie within the modified ellipsoid. When the generated surface faces downward, the derivatives of e are a negative contribution to the eccentricity and the osculating conicoid of revolution will lie outside of the modified ellipsoid.

Consider now those oval modified oblate hemi-ellipsoids produced when a diameter of the generating circle is parallel to the generator axis, the displacement radius intersecting but not being continuous with a diameter of the generating circle. (In the special case in which a diameter of the generating circle is parallel to the generator axis and the displacement radius is continuous with the diameter of the generating circle, a spherical surface only can generated.)

With a given value of inclination 0 90, the surface generated will vary from an oblate ellipsoid When 61:00 (FIG. 5), to a modified oblate ellipsoid when r sec d o. For =0 or a spherical surface only can be generated for all values of d, the radius of curvature of the surface being a function of d, and r.

The eccentricity and focus of the ellipsoid which osculates the modified oblate ellipsoid about the oblate point is given, in terms of the adjustable variables, by the following equation:

where a and b are the coordinates of a point on the meridian profile of the modified ellipsoid in the immediate vicinity of the oblate point, the a coordinate being measured from the oblate point in the direction of the major axis of the meridian section of the modified ellipsoid, and the in coordinate being measured from the oblate point in the direction of the minor axis, the plus sign in the denominator of Equation 6 being used when the generated surface faces upward and the minus sign being used when the generated surface faces downward.

Table 5 21 (cm.) a (0111.) b (cm.) modified ellipsoid Aa (cm.)

ellipsoid An example of a modified oblate hemi-ellipsoid will now be given. Table 5 presents data on a modified oblate hemi-ellipsoid produced with the following adjustment of the variables, the generated surface facing upwards:

scene-17 l5 oblate herni-ellipsoid, and along the minor axis of the ellipsoid.

This example of the generation of a modified oblate ellipsoid by the method of this invention demonstrates that by means of this invention it is possible tnproduce many modified oblate ellipsoids very closely approximating oblate ellipsoids, by means of a single generating circle. The modified oblate ellipsoid so closely approximates conicoids at and about their umbilical points that they may be designated in terms of eccentricity, focus, and apical radius of curvature, as is done with conicoids. It is possible, however, with a single generating circle of radius r, by simultaneously varying g5 and d, while a:(), and s=O, to produce modified oblate ellipsoids with the same apical radius of curvature and eccentricity in which departures from a constant eccentricity within the usable optical area are significant. Such departures may be desirable in optical surfaces, and this invention includes within its domain, the controlled and systematic departures from true oblate ellipsoidal shape.

In the examples given so far of the generation of revolutes with umbilical points, .9 was set at zero and at was 90 for the prolate ellipsoid and modified prolate ellipsoids and 0 for the oblate ellipsoids and modified oblate ellipsoids. If 0 a 90, umbilical point revolutes can be generated providing s is adjusted to an appropriate value. The necessary condition for the production of an axial umbilical point is that the work axis shall be perpendicular to the trace of the generating circle in the principal section. Stated in another way, the necessary condition for the production of a revolute with an axial umbilical point is that of the evolute of the trace of the generating circle in the principal section be tangent to the work axis.

Consider an example of a revolute formed with a generating circle of radius r, in which d co, G 90, and 0 a 90. The trace of the generating circle in the principal section is an ellipse with its major and minor axes oblique to the work axis. The value of skewness, s, necessary for an apical umbilical point is a function of r, o, and a. See FIG. 21.

For any point P (a, b) on the elliptical trace of the generating circle in the principal section, a being the coordinate in the direction of the major axis from the geometrical center of the ellipse as origin, with values ranging from 0 to r, and b being the coordinate in the direction of the minor axis with values ranging from 0 to r cos (p, the value of s necessary for an apical umbilical point there is given by the equation:

ab sin e s (a w ar or-s (a) In the example just given, the trace of the generating circle in the principal section is a non-symmetrical shape with respect to the work axis. Consequently it is possible to generate two revolutes having the same apical umbilical point with a single set of adjustments of the variables.

For example, with the following values for the adjustable variables,

r=10 cm.

s=2.8868 cm.

a. decrease in the displacement angle until the center of the generating circle is a distance 1) tan =4.0825 cm. from the principal section, results in the generation of an um bilical point revolute corresponding to the trace of the leading edge of the generating circle in the principal section to a point P (a, b) (FIG. 22). The generation of the revolute may be discontinued at this point by reversing the approach of the generating circle. If, instead of reversing the approach of the generating circle, it is continued in its original direction beyond the 4.0825 cms, additional material will be removed from the work piece, and a second revolute (FIG. 23) with an apical umbilical point will be formed, the apical radius of curvature, obtained by Equations 2 (a, b, and c), being the same for both revolutes, and in this example, equal to 7.6980 cms.

The two revolutes differ; the first formed having decreasing curvature of its meridian profile from the apical umbilical point to the minor axis of the trace of the generating circle in the principal section, and then.

increasing curvature; the second formed having increasing curvature of its meridian profile from the apical umbilical point to the major axis of the trace of the generating circle in the principal section, and then decreasing the curvature. By restricting the diameter of the Work piece, the revolute can be limited to having decreasing curvature of a meridian section from the apical umbilical point to the edge of the work piece, resembling the profile the apical portion of a prolate ellipsoid, or the revolute canbe limited to having increasing curvature from the apical umbilical point to the edge of the work piece, resembling the profile of the apical portion of the oblate ellipsoid. The profiles of these revolutes can be determined precisely by calculating the position of points on the elliptical trace of the generating circle in the principal section with respect to the work axis, the axis of symmetry. The apical radius of curvature at the umbilical point can be determined by Equations 2' (a, b, and c). Generalized eccentricity of the revolute can be expressed by a series expansion comparable to Equation 3.

if d is finite, O 90, and G ct 90, the trace of the generating circle in the principal section is nonsymrnetrical and non-elliptical. The trace of the generating circle in the principal section can be determined precisely by calculating the corresponding position in the principal section of points on the generating circle.

in order that a revolute with an apical umbilical point be generated when d is finite, the vertical work axis must pass through the highest point of the trace of the generating circle in the principal section when the generated SUI. face faces upwards, or the vertical work axis must pass through the lowest point of the trace of the generating circle in the principal section when the generated surface faces downwards. The umbilical point can be located to any desired degree of precision by graphical methods, by successive calculations approaching the maxmium point or upper apex of the trace, or the minimum point or lower apex of the trace, or by tabular methods such as the Gregory-Newton formula and its derivative.

An example of a non-symmetrical non-elliptical trace is shown in FIG. 24. It is produced with the following adjustment of the variables:

r=10 cm. d=l5 cm.

With the generated surface facing upwards, as the displacement angle is decreased during the generating process, the profile corresponding to the leading edge of the generating circle is generated on the revolving work piece. When the displacement angle 'y is reduced to 11.3942", an umbilical point is generated, and a complete umbilical point revolute is formed. The generation of the revolute may be discontinued at this point by reversing the approach of the generating circle. If instead of reversing the approach of the generating circle it is continued in its original direction, additional material will be removed from the work piece and a second revolute will be formed, the apical radius of curvature being the same for both revolutes, and in this example, equal to 8.7286 cms.

In order to generate revolutes with an apical umbilical point, s must be zero in the case of those revolutes formed when the trace of the generating circle in the principal section is a symmetrical shape, and s must be a finite value when the trace of the generating circle in the principal section is a non-symmetrical shape. 

1. A MACHINE FOR GENERATING OPTICAL SURFACES AND TEMPLATES FOR THE SAME COMPRISING A BASE, MEANS FOR MOUNTING A WORK BLANK ABOVE SAID BASE, A TOOL HAVING A CIRCULAR GRINDING EDGE, MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID TOOL ON SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID BLANK, SAID LAST NAMED MOUNTING MEANS PROVIDING ADJUSTMENTS OF SAID TOOL TO VARY THE ANGLE OF THE PLANE OF SAID GRINDING EDGE RELATIVE TO SAID WORK BLANK ABOUT TWO DIAMETERS OF SAID CIRCLE AT 90* TO EACH OTHER, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID TOOL ABOUT AN AXIS NORMAL TO THE CENTER OF SAID CIRCULAR GRINDING EDGE, AND MEANS FOR CAUSING SAID TOOL GRINDING EDGE TO ENGAGE AND FORM SAID WORK BLANK. 